Flower symbols

There are a number of flower symbols on this old gravestone in York cemetery. In the centre is a rose the symbol for beauty, and behind are tulips for love and passion. The ivy around the flowers symbolises friendship. Not sure what the snail signifies other than the cemetery is good news for the local ecosystem!

Mizpah

Lots of symbols at the top of this 19th century stone from York cemetery. A bird carrying a scroll with the word mizpah written on it. Birds symbolise messengers, often bringing peace. Mizpah is an emotional bond between two people who are separated, this can be a physical separation or the more final separation of death.
The handshake shows a clasped right hand gently encircling a flat left hand. This can symbolise God leading the deceased into heaven, but in this case the right hand with a distinct cuff and the left with a frilly edge likely represent a husband and wife. The extended forefinger, shows a gentle grip rather than a firm one with all fingers bent.
Parted drapes with side tassels place this statement of loss and continued devotion centre stage.
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Go away, I'm busy!

After giving me a very hard stare this cat made it quite clear I was surplus to requirements by turning her back and pointedly ignoring me. When I persisted in pointing my camera her way she pretended to have spotted something interesting in the distance and stalked off. I followed her around the gravestone only to find she had completely vanished from sight; a ghost cat perhaps!

Something will turn up.....

This modern stone in York cemetery marks the site of a public grave which is of interest to anyone familiar with the writing of Charles Dickens. Alfred Dickens, younger brother of Charles, lived near York and it is possible Charles met Richard Chicken on a visit to see his brother. For a time Alfred Dickens and Richard Chicken worked in the same office so Charles must have heard many stories and anecdotes from and about this noted York eccentric.
The Chicken family lived in St. Mary’s Row, Bishophill, producing baby Chickens at regular intervals, and according to a neighbour, 'bathing them every Sunday morning in the yard in full view of everybody who wanted to look'. Despite this sanitary regime (or perhaps because of it) five of the little Chickens died of typhoid fever. 
Later, the family moved to Bilton Street in Layerthorpe and then Union Terrace. Despite his limited income as a clerk he continued to hatch Chickens at regular intervals and money was always tight. By now Chicken was known all over the city for his Micawberish way of life particularly his elaborate begging letters. 
He died in the workhouse and was buried in a Public Grave which cost 4s 6d with an additional charge of 4s 6d for the use of the cemetery hearse. An old school friend paid the 9 shillings owing.
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Wildlife Sanctuary

Walking along one of the less used routes between memorials in York cemetery I came across this arrangement of silver birch poles. It was there to stop wandering taphophiles stumbling into one of the tiny wildlife ponds spread around the area. As I stopped to take this picture a small frog hopped across my foot, proving that the pond is indeed providing a refuge and water source for a variety of birds animals and amphibians.
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Overgrown

Much of York cemetery is overgrown and graves are interspersed with wild flowers and grasses, bushes and even trees. Parts of the cemetery where recent burials have taken place are kept tidy, as are some graves which are looked after by York Cemetery Trust. I rather like the less manicured areas, although I know some are appalled by the idea, and it is ideal for encouraging local wildlife.
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Orphan

This memorial in York Cemetery is covered in symbolism, most noticeable is carved ivy for friendship which covers the cross. It has the letters IHS overlaid one another at the centre of the cross, this can be an abbreviation of the name of Jesus, and can also mean 'with this sign we conquer' (death presumably). At the bottom are fern leave (humility and sincerity). There are four names  carved around the square base, the one at the front reads as follows:

Mary Swann

One of the children of S. Stephens

Orphanage

Fell asleep July 13th

1885

Aged 12

RIP

I was struck by the elaborate nature of the memorial for a child from an Orphanage. The other three names are all adults so perhaps her name was added later, but her's is most prominent. The memorial is not in the children's section of the cemetery
In 1870 a new childrens' home and orphanage called St Stephen's opened at Precentors Court near the Minster.  It moved location twice, settling on The Mount in 1919 before eventually closing in 1969.
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Modern Marker

Amongst all the old grave markers in York cemetery are some modern memorials. Often they are quite different to conventional stones. This inscription always strikes me as a lovely way to be remembered. I know nothing about Edgar Joseph Newton, but from the words listed above I know I would have liked to meet him. I also enjoyed the challenge of deciphering the Roman numerals (1947-2003) and now want to know why he knew the cemetery as Bellfield.
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The First

Landscaping work was started in York cemetery in Jan 1837. I have often wondered what the cemetery looked like before it was filled with graves. How did they decide where to start digging! Which was the first burial in York cemetery? What did the remainder of the site look like? Well having come across the grave above left I now know who was The First. The inscription reads

Sacred 

to the memory of 

Charlotte second daughter of 

Thomas Fishburn Hall and Betsey his wife 

of Heworth. 

Who died Jany 17th 1837. Aged 25 years

A lovely flower

removed, alas how soon

from the tender watchful care

that had reared and cherished it

to be THE FIRST transplanted

into this garden of death

yet not to continue here for ever

but at the appointed season to be taken

onto the paradise of God

there to revive and flourish

in perfect and unfading beauty 

Originally the cemetery was divided in two, with half for Church of England burials and the other half for Dissenters. As the Dissenters  were in the minority three of their four acres were let out as grazing at first as they were not expected to be needed for some time. Charlotte was a Unitarian who died on Jan 17th 1837, and on Jan 21st became the first burial in the cemetery. She was buried in the Dissenters section.
The details on the burial arrangements are taken from the book

 'This Garden of Death' The History of York Cemetery 1837-2007 by Hugh Murray. 

For anyone interested in finding out more about the founding of Public Cemeteries in general and the rise, fall, and rise again of York Cemetery in particular, it is warmly recommended (follow the link through via the York Cemetery website to Publications)
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Rosemary for Remembrance

Around 20 years ago work started to make a Physic garden in a portion of York cemetery. A beech hedge was planted around 30 graves, the turfs that had overgrown the graves were lifted, and herb beds were created by putting kerbs around individual graves. The beds were planted with a mix of culinary and medicinal herbs, and each grave given a carved stone marker showing the name of the herb planted.
Some of the names such as Alecost or Elecampane are unfamiliar but rather charming. I wouldn't mind sharing my final resting place with them, or others such as Yarrow, St John's Wort or Angelica. I would be less keen on Wormwood or Rhubarb, plants sowed on two of the graves above!
The herb garden was intended to be a commercial venture that directly benefited the cemetery but this never materialised. I think I can spot the fatal flaw in this plan, many people I suspect would not choose to buy rhubarb or herbs grown on a grave. Would you?
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Thomas Wilkinson VC

This is the grave of Bombardier Thomas Wilkinson VC, Royal Marines Artillery. He served during the Crimean War, and on 7th June 1855 at the Battle of Sebastopol Bombardier Wilkinson was especially recommended for gallant conduct in the advanced Batteries in placing sandbags to repair the damage under a galling fire; his name having been sent up on the occasion as worthy of special notice by the Commanding Officer of the Artillery of the Right Attack. (Letter from Colonel Wesley, Deputy Adjutant General, Royal Marines.) 

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of Commonwealth countries. The first investiture of the Victoria Cross took place in Hyde Park, London on Friday 26th June 1857. Thomas Wilkinson was at this investiture and was only the 14th ever war veteran to be awarded this medal. The VC was pinned to his uniform coat by Queen Victoria herself.

He was later a Sergeant Instructor for Auxiliary Forces and was eventually invalided from the Royal Marines Artillery on 12th October 1859. As well as the VC, he also received the French Legion of Honour, the Turkish Crimea Medal and the British Crimea Medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.

He died aged 55, in York on 22nd September 1887 where he was buried with full military honours in York cemetery. 
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Keyhole Coffin

This memorial is in the older section of York cemetery, and poses more questions than answers. Why  does this stone sepulchre not have any name inscribed on it? How long has it been here? Why has it been designed as a stone casket? Why on earth does it have a keyhole? Is there a large stone key somewhere? What would happen if someone put the key in the lock?


Well the last two questions are tongue in cheek, but I do wonder about that keyhole. So far my enquiries have drawn a blank but I shall continue my quest for the answer. Any thoughts?

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An early demise

Some grave markers have a meaning implicit in the structure chosen for them. A broken column like this often means a life cut short, or possibly the death of a significant member of the household or an organisation. This column is a monument to William Napier a solicitor who died in 1842 at the age of 33. It has a typically effusive inscription for a Victorian monument some of which I have transcribed below.
'Stranger, dost ask what noble heraldry,
What rank the subject of this tablet bore?
Pure faith, meek hope, and noiseless charity,
These were the arms his sacred scrutcion wore'
There is much more in the same vein praising the amount he achieved in his short life and finishing with
'and still his virtues shed a sweet perfume,
of grace divine around his early tomb'
It is a striking monument still, over 100 years later, of a man clearly much admired and missed by his contempories.
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Spring in the Cemetery

A spring view of part of the Victorian area of York cemetery. In the foreground is a large stone cross which is a memorial to 'Harriet Dickinson, wife of Alfred Dickinson, Wine Merchant of this city'. In the background is the Grade II* listed cemetery chapel designed by James Piggott Prichett. Completed in 1838 it is based on the Temple of Erechtheus one of the three main temples on the Acropolis in Athens. A rather pagan linneage for a funeral chapel! 

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York Cemetery Founder

The elaborate Gothic style memorial in this view of York cemetery  is dedicated to Alderman Jonathan Grey. He was a lawyer who served on the Board of Health during the cholera epidemic of 1832. One of the main problems the board faced was finding burial grounds where the cholera victims could be buried sufficiently deeply to ensure they did not present a risk to the health of the living. The overflowing mediaeval parish church graveyards meant that few graves could be sunk deeper than three or four feet, and it was not unusual to see human bones lying around the city. Alderman Grey was instrumental in establishing the York Public Cemetery Company around 1836, and ensuring the city had somewhere to bury it's dead for many years to come. 
It is ironic that although he lived in York Jonathan Grey died (and was buried) in Hastings. I suppose the logistics of transporting a body 270 miles were considerable in those days. He is commemorated by this stone eddifice that was subsequently used as a burial vault for members of his family.
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A Plane Man

I took this picture in the Victorian section of York Cemetery because I was intrigued by the name Summers Varvill. On further investigation I discovered that Summers was the eldest son of Michael Varvill who started a planemaking (woodworking tools) business in 1793. By 1829 this company was known as Varvill & Sons but Summers and his brother Fraser decided to go their own way in June 1838 as this notice in the local paper stated

NOTICE is hereby given, that the Co-partnership lately subsisting between us the undersigned, Michael Varvill,Summers Varvill, and Fraser Varvill, as Plane-Makers and Joiners' Tool-Makers, at the city of York, trading under  the firm of M. Varvill and Sons, has been dissolved by mutual consent, as far as regards Michael Varvill; and that all debts due or owing by the said copartnership will be received and paid by the said Summers Varvill and Fraser Varvill, by whom the said business will in future be carried on, at their warehouses in Saint Martin's-lane, York; As witness our Hands this l l t h day of June 1838.

Michael Varvill.

Summers Farvill.

Fraser Varvill

By 1840 Summers Varvill had set up a business at Without North-Street Posten known as the Ebor Works and this link to an advert he took out is a fascinating glimpse into how business was conducted in the mid 19th century. I dare say he would be sued today! The company operated from the Ebor Works, North Street, York from 1840-1867. As we can see above Summers died in 1862 but his wife, Mary, kept the firm going until they were eventually incorporated into Robert Varvill & Son. The tools his company made are still for sale today albeit in antique rather than joinery shops.

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Australian Memorial

This ivy covered memorial in the Victorian portion of York cemetery is inscribed on both sides, this image is of the back of the stone. It gives a brief glimpse into the lives of a well travelled family who were spread across the globe. Sadly 3 of their their sons died at a relatively young age in Australia, within just few years of one another.
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